As we celebrate our first month as BASE, we do so with a special focus on why we are here and why we do the work that we do - our BASE kids. Each day at our BASE sites brings with it something new, exciting and special. Our BASE kids are kind, talented, generous, unique, and incredibly FUN to spend time with after school. Recognizing all of their personal characteristics and accomplishments would be impossible, however it is extremely important that we take time to recognize in a special way those who stand out in memorable ways. We take time to look back at the month that has so quickly passed by and been filled with programs, games, educational opportunities, theme weeks, activities, events, community involvement opportunities, new friendships, and so much more.

BASE staff members are pleased to announce the BASE Kid of the Month recipients for the month of October for the 2018-2019 after school program. We present the following awards to these incredible BASE kids, chosen by their site staff members, who possess and demonstrate positive qualities in the areas of leadership, participation, positive attitude, and responsible behavior.

BASE Barrie

base purdy

base rockwell

BASE celebrated Lights on Afterschool 2018 with a theme of Health & Wellness today at all 4 BASE sites. Snack time began with boxes of healthy KIND bars for each BASE member that we received by registering our BASE sites to participate in the Afterschool Alliance 2018 Lights on Afterschool event. Thank you to KIND for the delicious KIND bars and thank you to the School District of Fort Atkinson who provides our BASE sites with healthy snacks every day afterschool.

We continued our wellness activities during recreation time which we offer every day for BASE members. BASE sites participated in a jump rope challenge and BASE Rockwell enjoyed a football game.

Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial is a nonprofit financial company and provided our BASE sites with some amazing supplies that were perfect for us to use today. The company is built on community impact and being there for their members. As a company they have a youth development program which allows them to give free educational supplies to schools and groups such as BASE. A former BASE staff member Mr. Kyle saw this as great benefit to our BASE sites, that our kids could use and enjoy these materials. Thank You to Mr. Kyle for thinking of us and to Modern Woodmen of America (touching lives, securing futures). BASE kids loved the jump ropes!

We returned to the health topic during our Power Hour session which we also offer every day for BASE members. We distributed and reviewed 2 educational cards that were also donated by Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial. The cards educated BASE members on the ABC’s of Healthy Snacking, Good-for-You Snack options, Get Active options, and Food Group guidelines.

We made our afternoon program everything “Lights on Afterschool.” BASE staff and members participated in the light bulb challenge, completed a BASE word search, colored and cut a light bulb to display, and completed a writing assignment where they wrote and illustrated just what BASE means to them.

On Thursday, October 25th, 2018, our 4 BASE sites will celebrate the importance of afterschool programming in our Fort Atkinson community and communities across our county as we participate in Lights on Afterschool 2018. After having chosen a theme for this year’s event, our BASE team is preparing programs and activities that highlight health and wellness. We also received some generous donations that we are excited to share with the kids tomorrow. If you are as passionate about quality afterschool care as we are at BASE, follow us on social media or even take a moment to reach out and find out how you can join with us to inspire kids and build bright futures.

The Afterschool Alliance is working to ensure that all children have access to affordable, quality afterschool programs and BASE is proud to participate in the Lights on Afterschool campaign.

Check in with us tomorrow and see the details of our health & wellness programs and activities for our BASE kids and celebrate the importance of afterschool programming at BASE.

We recently hosted our 1st annual Harvest Dinner on 10/10. There were so many people who volunteered their time, talents, goods and money to make it happen. We are so very thankful of their support.

As always, we will be sending them thank you cards and want our BASE Program Kids to help create beautiful cards to our Harvest Dinner supporters.

For inspiration we will be looking at artist Romero Britto- you can check out his work here: https://britto.com/

Britto is is a Brazilian artist, painter, serigrapher, and sculptor. He combines elements of cubism and pop art in his work, using vibrant colors and bold patterns as a visual expression of hope and happiness.

We have printed pumpkin cards that you can draw patterns like a zentangle. Here is how it works:

Using a black pen, create tangles. A tangle is a pattern drawn in black pen along the contours of the lines dividing the different sections of the pumpkin.Draw a new pattern in each section of the pumpkin.